Peter "Mick" Madsen
Prop
Player Bio
- Inducted:
- 2008
- Date of Birth:
- 16 September 1901
- Birthplace:
- Tannymorel, QLD
- Nickname:
- Mick
- Debut Team:
- Toowoomba
- Date:
- 02 May 1925
- Opposition:
- Brisbane
- Venue:
- Exhibition Ground, Brisbane
- Representative:
- Queensland, Australia
- Club:
- Brothers Toowoomba
Career
Milestones
- Queensland Team of the Century: 2008
- Kangaroo Tours: 1929-30, 1933-34
- Australian captain: 1 Test
- Rated No. 61 in Rugby League Week’s Top 100 players: 1992
Playing
- First Class Games
- 149
- Points
- 36
- Tries
- 12
Biography
In 1982, when Rugby League Week magazine assembled a most distinguished panel of judges in the game's history to pick a ''Hall of Fame'' Australian rugby league XIII, their most discussed choice was front-rower Peter 'Mick' Madsen.
The judges were emphatic in placing him alongside fellow Queenslander Duncan Hall and Easts' Sandy Pearce in the front row.
An immensely strong man, Madsen was a foundation stone of Queensland and Toowoomba's rise to the dominant place in Australian rugby league in the 1920s.
He represented Toowoomba every year from 1925 to 1937, played 40 games for Queensland, nine Tests and 37 tour matches for Australia.
With regular captain Frank McMillan injured, he assumed the leadership for the second Ashes Test on the 1933–34 tour.
In the 1970s, Duncan Thompson named Madsen and Herb Steinohrt as the greatest of all prop combinations, describing them as 'rough men in rough positions, yet surprisingly polished in ball handling and distribution'.
Madsen was a big man, (185cm and 96kg), who played with his sleeves rolled up. Stories of strength and courage accompanied him through his career. ''Nature's gentleman ... tough as they come,'' said Joe Pearce.
An enduring symbol of the stoutness and honesty of the country player, Madsen retired in 1937 and the great administrator Harry Sunderland would write poignantly of a powerful run he made in his final interstate game.
''We who have known his true worth as a gentleman and a player,'' Sunderland commented, ''will never allow to fade from our memories that last charge that he made.''
“English critics still rate Mick Madsen as one of the greatest forwards ever to don a jersey…and few fans will disagree.”
Sunday Truth, May 9, 1971
26. Peter Madsen - Hall of Fame
Career Stats
Club Career
| Team Name | Competition | Year Start | Year End | Played | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brothers Toowoomba | Toowoomba Club Competition | 1921 | 1937 | - | - | - | - | - |
Representative Career
Intercity
| Team Name | Competition | Opponent | Year Start | Year End | Played | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toowoomba | 1925 | 1937 | 60 | 4 | - | - | 12 |
State
| Team Name | Competition | Opponent | Year Start | Year End | Played | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland | Interstate Series | New South Wales | 1928 | 1937 | 36 | 3 | - | - | 9 |
| Queensland | Touring Teams |
1928
1930
1932
1936 |
1928
1930
1932
1936 |
5 | 1 | - | - | 3 |
International
| Team Name | Competition | Year Start | Year End | Played | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Tests |
1929
1932
1936 |
1929
1933
1936 |
9 | - | - | - | - |
| Australia | Tour Matches |
1929
1944 |
1930
1934 |
37 | 3 | - | - | 9 |
Other Representative
| Team Name | Opponent | Year Start | Year End | Played | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Rest | Queensland | 1928 | 1928 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| Kangaroos | The Rest | 1930 | 1930 | 1 | 1 | - | - | 3 |
Hall of Fame Members
National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.
